I loved France, although I initially thought they were stubborn for always speaking French.
Olivia de Havilland
As I write this, I find that people are not looking for the most beautiful cities in France. The Olympic Games are just around the corner; most worry about scoring tickets to their favourite events. But what happens after the Closing Ceremony?
Tourists don't lack for French cities to visit. Much of the hype revolves around Paris - the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, and strolling along the Seine. However, you'll find enticing French cities far outside the capital city, too. It would be a shame to miss these and other famous landmarks in France, so this article outlines the best ones.
| Attraction | What You'll Find |
|---|---|
| Paris | Louvre Montmartre Palais de Versailles Champs Elysées Catacombes La Tour Eiffel |
| Normandy | Mont St Michel Rouen Bayeux |
| Nîmes | Pont du Gare Les Arènes Maison Carrée |
| Alpes-de-Haute-Provence | Gorges du Verdon |
| Loir-et-Cher | Le château de Chambord |
| Limoges | Centre-ville Oradour-sur-Glane |
| Bordeaux | Centre ville le Palais Gallien Arcachon |
| Marseille | Les ports Palais Longchamp L'abbaye St Victor |
| Pau | Chateau de Pau Lourdes |
| Haute-Savoie | Mont Blanc |
Paris - the Best of French Cities
For many French enthusiasts, the City of Lights is the country's main attraction. It's home to some of the most famous landmarks in France, including the Eiffel Tower. But don't make that gorgeous lattice structure your only destination, Paris has much more to offer.
You might say that our opening chapter is a recap of all the information you know so well. Let us quickly review some of this city's best attractions before travelling around the country.
This timeless city has so much to offer, it's hard to pick the best place to start. The Louvre, the Tower, The Champs Elysées - they're all world-renowned. Listing everything to see and do in Paris is an article in itself. Here, we feature only the highlights.
tourists per year
What you do and see in Paris depends on your preferences as much as the time of year you visit. The past few months have been particularly soggy, but that serves visitors well, thanks to all the tourist-worthy indoor spaces. The Catacombs are my favourite, but most prefer to visit and revisit the world's most famous museum.
Bordeaux
Paris, with its suburbs, is France's most populous city. This southwestern gem is far less crowded, yet it boasts many tourist attractions. You might stroll through the medieval Old Town to feast on the Cailhau Gate (pictured), and its sister tower, the Great Bell.
Bordeaux is home to one of Europe's longest pedestrian shopping streets. After taking in the sights, you might stroll Rue St Catherine or sit in one of its many cafés.
Much of what Bordeaux has to offer is free, particularly her open spaces and stunning architecture. Seldom does one stumble upon Roman ruins, such as the second-century Palais Gallien. In this city, such discoveries are ubiquitous.
Bordeaux's nickname is Sleeping Beauty because it's one of the most beautiful cities in France.
Not to Miss in Bordeaux
Cathedrale St André: a part of the World Heritage Routes of Santiago de Compostela.
Place des Quinconces: transportation hub and marketplace, central to the city, featuring the Girondains Memorial.
Port de la Lune: a Unesco World Heritage site, blending old and new with stunning port views.
Jardin Publique: an open space that originally served as a medical herbs garden.
Mont St Michel - Normandy
This region has so much to offer that, again, it could fill an entire article. Still, if you're on a time limit, Normandy is a great day trip from Paris. Should you make the roughly four-hour drive, the St Michel abbey must be on your list of monuments to tour.
You might decide that Normandy has so much to see and do that you'll overnight there. Having another day in the area gives you the chance to tour Rouen and its magnificent cathedral. To get more in tune with nature, try the sea cliffs at Etretat. Doing so will shorten your return to Paris by about 30 minutes.
Loire Valley Castles
So dotted with castles is the Loire Valley that the entire region is a UNESCO World Heritage site. You'll find several medieval fortresses perched on hilltops, complete with ramparts. However, the most renowned Loire chateaux date from the Renaissance Era, like the one in this photo.
Beyond the castles, cathedrals are this region's must-see. Bourges defies description and Chartre... Well, you have to see it to believe it.
Like other activities in France for tourists, the Loire Valley is easy to get to. From Paris, you'll drive roughly 2.5 hours; going by train takes an hour less. You could even take a bus there. This is what you have to look forward to, once you arrive.
Limoges - City of Art and History
Roughly 2.5 hours northwest of Bordeaux, you will find Limoges. This is one of the oldest settled regions in France. The Romans founded the city around 10 BCE (before current era). The Saint Martial Bridge dates back to those times, and is still in use today.
Limoges porcelain is world-famous and highly prized. You don't have to go there to buy any, but touring the museums makes the trip worthwhile.
Limoges boasts many churches, among them the gothic-style St Etienne Cathedral. You can get your castle fix here, too. But by far, the most important reason to make the Limoges trip is Oradour-sur-Glane. This saddest of French towns is more effective than any museum at representing the tragedy that unfolded there.
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Rocamadour
After Oradour's sobering visit, you might need an inspiring environment to recover in. Rocamadour is one of the most beautiful cities in France, and perhaps one of the least-known.
Using 'city' stretches the word's definition a bit. It's actually a commune consisting of several hamlets. Rocamadour is an oft-overlooked gem that more travellers should include in their trip plans.
Rocamadour is an important stop on the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage trail. During the 11th Century, pilgrims discovered a perfectly preserved body in a cliff-face nook. Reasoning that it must be a saint's earthly remains, they built a sanctuary to protect it. Over the centuries, more such holy markers came to dot the cliff.
Of them, the Chapelle Notre Dame is the most popular. It features the Black Virgin, a statue of Mary carved from walnut, which darkened over time. The Basilique Saint-Sauveur, a UNESCO-listed site, features both Romanesque and Gothic elements. The physically fit may tackle the stairs that lead to the château, which feature the 12 stations of the cross.
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Marseille
Marseille is where France meets the world. It basks in a Mediterranean climate and boasts architectural traits from Africa and West Asia. And if you thought Limoges was old, wait until you learn that Marseille predates it - by roughly 600 years.
Some of the essential French phrases you learned for your travels might not work well, here. Especially not with native Marseillais, who tend towards a more Occitan speech pattern.
Marseille is the second most populated of all the French cities, but the vibe is friendly and laid back. You might ramble through the Noailles Market - as close to an African scene you can get without being in Africa. Don't forget to tour the Panier, the oldest part of the city.
Nîmes
By now, you may have noted that the best cities in France feature either religious or historical relics. Indeed, any guide to travel in France will emphasise these aspects. The chapter on Nîmes will be no different.
You can get to Nîmes by train, bus or car; the nearby airport offers a shuttle bus to the city's centre (€6.80 per one-way ticket). Once there, you can reach all the main attractions on foot:
Maison Carrée: one of the world's best-preserved Roman temples, featuring a small theatre.
Les Arènes: a complete amphitheatre that hosts concerts and other events.
Tour Magne: a Roman tower in ruins atop Mont Cavalier.
Temple de Diane: built during the 1st Century CE, under Augustus Caesar.
It's the most Roman city outside of Italy.
Pau
From the Mediterranean coast to high in the mountains, we make a stop in Pau. This city is the birthplace of King Henry IV; his castle still towers over the city today.
The pictured building is the former Hotel de Gassion, a Belle Époque structure that linked the King's castle to the Beaumont Park. Today, it houses flats but, in its time, it was party to a heated rivalry.
In itself, Pau isn't one of the best cities to visit in France. However, its closeness to one of the most legendary French towns makes it a worthy stopover. The castle tour is also a treat.
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Lourdes
This French town is the world's largest Marian pilgrimage centre. It began as a market town; a wide space on the road to the Pyrenees Spas.
Today, Lourdes welcomes travellers from around the globe. They tour the basilicas and drink from the Massabielle Grotto spring.
Whether or not you're a person of faith, Lourdes is one of the top attractions in France. You needn't invest more than a day in this town. However, you shouldn't miss the 'Prayer for the Sick' or the Candlelit Procession that takes place every evening.
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